The Actual Length Of Doctor Who In Season 10, According To Steven Moffat

While we absolutely know some facts about what Doctor Who has coming up, including the fact that Jenna-Louis Coleman is leaving and will need to be replaced by a new companion, a lot of other information regarding the upcoming Season 10 (Series 10 in the UK) has been way more up in the air. For a while, it looked as if fans might get way fewer episodes of Doctor Who, but now showrunner Steven Moffat has come out and totally debunked that theory. Here’s what he had to say:

It’s not being reduced in size. We’re not making fewer episodes. That’s all complete bunk. I can confirm that absolutely.

That’s right, folks, when Doctor Who returns for Season 10—likely with Peter Capaldi still playing the Doctor—fans will still get a full, 12-episode season. Plus, Moffat even told The Radio Times that there will be a Christmas special, as well, meaning reports of Doctor Whosizing down have been greatly exaggerated.

We’re making a full series. I can confirm that. I’m making a full series of 12 episodes, plus a Christmas special. I don’t know when it goes out. That’s up to someone else. And even if I did know – which I genuinely don’t – I wouldn’t be allowed to say so as I have absolutely no say in it whatsoever.

The news comes after months of rumors indicated Doctor Who might pursue less episodes next season. Those rumors stemmed from Capaldi talking about the laborious nature of producing a new season of Doctor Who. In fact, he went so far as to say he was “exhausted.” In addition, the BBC has been dealing with budget cuts from the UK government, making the possibility of less Who even more feasible. Moffat has already stated that Doctor Who will be around for years to come, but that doesn’t mean 12 episodes and a Christmas special were guaranteed until the end of the series. Thankfully, all of the rumors seem to have just been rumors at this point.

Moffat’s comments about the length of the series are pretty straightforward and indicate that fans are in no danger of losing any amount of Doctor Who before next season. What is a bit up in the air is when those episodes will air. While we’ve been used to the fall schedule bleeding into a Christmas special for the last several years, all of that could theoretically change on a BBC whim. Steven Moffat has no say in the schedule. Thankfully, however, he can confirm the episode count.

Doctor Who is currently airing its ninth season in the new series. You can catch new episodes in the States on Saturday nights at 9 p.m. ET, only on BBC America.